Former Sen. Ernie Newton's most recent arrest has motivated Sen. Ed Meyer, D-Guilford, to propose legislation prohibiting public officials convicted of corruption from using public campaign funds

Newton, a Democrat who once represented Bridgeport, has pleaded not guilty to charges he falsely obtained thousands of dollars in public campaign funds in his failed attempt to take back his seat. He's also professed his innocence through a lawyer.

But under Meyer's proposal, Newton never would have been able to apply for the funds in the first place.